Public violence accused granted bail

All the Vuwani and Mashau residents accused of violence recently received bail in different courts in the area.

Among the first to be granted bail were high-profile community leaders Frank Muthathe and Makhado ANC councillor Gideon Tshavhuyo, who had been denied bail on several occasions. The two were granted bail of R2 500 each.

The other accused in the case who were also granted bail are Rothe Ratshifheti, Simon Ravele, Lyborn Mulaudzi, Bushy Fhedzisani, Doreen Mahosi, Nicholas Hlungwani, Nndwamato Mugwena and Remember Mavhandu, who were granted R1 000 bail each. Rodney Davhana, Hulisani Manavhela, Cannox Mahosi, Prince Mashamba, Kenneth Radzilani, Tiyiselani Hlungwani and Takalani Munyai were released on warning.

In the High Court in Thohoyandou, Judge Khami Makhafola gave all the accused stringent bail conditions, among them that they should not travel more than 200km away from their living area without the knowledge of the investigating officer. They were also ordered to surrender their travel documents and to report at the Vuwani police station from Mondays to Fridays between 7:00 to 18:00. The order further states that they should not interfere with witnesses through social media, friends or relatives.

Giving judgement in the court, which was packed with friends relatives and other community members, Judge Khami Makhafola said the lower court in Thohoyandou had erred in denying bail to the accused. He said even murderers were granted bail, but those who had not killed had been denied bail. Makhafola also ordered that the names of witnesses and potential witnesses be furnished to the defence and applicants within 10 days.

Meanwhile, the situation remains the same in Vuwani, with virtually no activity taking place in the town. All services have come to a complete halt, following the complete shutdown started some months ago. Schools did not resume when the second half of the school calendar opened on Monday. Pupils who went to school with the hope of attending classes found the gates closed.

Community members, relatives and friends of the accused hailed the decision of the judge to set the decision of the lower court aside and to grant the accused bail.

Date:25 July 2016

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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